XL98: New Database Query File Format for MS Query 8.0

• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

Microsoft Query 8.0 for Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition uses a new database query file format. This article discusses the new format and how to use it with earlier versions of Microsoft Query.

MORE INFORMATION

The database query format is the default file format that is used when you use the Save command in Microsoft Query 8.0. For backward compatibility, Microsoft Query 8.0 continues to support Microsoft Query version 1.0 files when you save and open these files. When you open a query file and edit it in Microsoft Query 8.0, features that cannot be represented in the query file format are not available. For example, parameterized query functionality is not available because this feature is not available in earlier versions of Microsoft Query. Also, if you create a query in Microsoft Query 8.0 and use features that are not supported in earlier versions, you cannot save the query file as a version 1.0 file until you remove the new functionality.

The database query format is designed to be small, simple, and efficient. Note that most of the presentation information that can be saved in version 1.0 files is not retained in the database query. Defaults are substituted for some items, such as window, table, and document positions. When you perform a new query, version 1.0 files are not supported by the Microsoft Excel Run Query command or by the Queries tab in the Choose Data Source dialog box.

When you save a query in Microsoft Query 8.0, Microsoft Query saves a text file that consists of at least four lines of text that are each separated by carriage returns and line feed characters. Note that these characters typically do not appear in a text editor.

The format of the Database Query file is as follows:

   XLODBC
   1
   <DSN Name >
   <SQL String>
   <Parameter names>
   <Parameter data types>
   <Column Names>

Sample Database Query File

In the following example, text is wrapped to allow you to view it easily. In an actual query text file, the SQL string text is not wrapped. The following is a sample query file in Microsoft Query 8.0:

   XLODBC
   1
   DSN=MydBASE
   SELECT CUSTOMER.CUSTMR_ID, CUSTOMER.COMPANY, CUSTOMER.CONTACT,
   CUSTOMER.CON_TITLE, CUSTOMER.ADDRESS, CUSTOMER.CITY,
   CUSTOMER.REGION, CUSTOMER.ZIP_CODE, CUSTOMER.COUNTRY,
   CUSTOMER.PHONE, CUSTOMER.FAX FROM 'HD:Microsoft Office
   98:Sample Files:Sample Databases':'CUSTOMER.DBF' CUSTOMER


   CUSTMR_ID   COMPANY   CONTACT   CON_TITLE   ADDRESS   CITY
   REGION   ZIP_CODE   COUNTRY   PHONE   FAX

REFERENCES

For more information about using database query files, click the Index button in Microsoft Query Help, type the following text

   saving queries

For more information about creating a parameter query from Microsoft Excel, click the Index button in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   parameter query